Jacksonville Police Department Goes High Tech to Search for Missing Children

Mayor Paul Becker with Chief David Towe

Jacksonville Police Department Chief David Towe has formalized an agreement with the A Child Is Missing (ACIM) Alert Program that has led to a high tech method now in place to search locally for missing children, missing elderly (often with Alzheimer’s), college students, and missing persons who may be mentally or physically challenged or disabled.

Effective March 1, 2012, upon receipt of missing persons calls, the Jacksonville police department will make the first phone call to a toll-free number that rings in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—the national headquarters of the A Child Is Missing Alert Program.  The call, answered 24/7/365 by an Information and Mapping Technician, initiates a rapid process of information gathering and use of sophisticated mapping systems.  A Child Is Missing then launches potentially thousands of calls within minutes with an alert message detailing the missing person’s description, last known whereabouts, and pertinent information.  This alert message will also include a Jacksonville Police Department phone number for use by anyone with information relating to the missing person.

This program is a free service to law enforcement.  Jacksonville Police Department officials will evaluate each potential activation of the A Child Is Missing Alert Program to ensure the application is appropriate to the case and to ensure the system is optimally used.  Policies, procedures, and employee training will also guide the most efficient and effective use of this Alert Program.

Phone numbers that are called by this program include listed numbers and mobile numbers available to ACIM in the selected area. Mobile numbers, unlisted numbers, broadband/voice-over IP numbers, or TDD/TTY devices can be added to ensure they, too, are called in the event of an alert.  To enter your cell phone, unlisted, broadband/voice-over IP or TDD/TTY device number visit www.achildismissing.org and click on “add your name” to enter your name, number, and address.  This information will only be used for emergency message alerts.

A Child Is Missing is a nationwide non-profit organization that helps law enforcement agencies locate missing children, missing elderly persons (often suffering from Alzheimer’s), college students, and missing persons who are mentally or physically challenged or disabled.  A Child is Missing utilizes sophisticated computer mapping systems and trained technicians with the capacity to place 1,000 alert phone calls in one minute to residents and businesses in the area where someone has gone missing.  To date the efforts of A Child Is Missing have been credited with more than 920 safe assisted recoveries.